97 Lumina 3.1 Ticks when 1st cranked

[Carwhiz]

I've head many customers comming to me and telling the same thing. ALL of them have been satisfied by running a can of seafoam in the crankcase. PROBLEM SOLVED. by using low/poor quality oil, and stp additives, the oil jackets become slightly plugged, seafoam runs through and burns out any obstructing particles and keeps the oil flowing smoothly.

[billg226]

Originally Posted by radioman2002

If you havn't worked on these kind of cars before, I recommend you get a Chiltons or similar book. It has the basics on changing the gasket and rebuilding the engine.
From my experience, twice in 6 months, taking my sons 3.1l apart, first for the intake gasket and then for lifters, the job can be a PIA, if you don't approach it methodically. I learned an old trick from a police mechanic years ago to use cardboard as a template for bolts and parts being removed. Draw a picture on the cardboard, then punch holes in it to put the bolts and such. Another thing I have used recently on both the Lumina and an engine rebuild on my Tahoe, was to take digital pictures as I went along, so I could put the parts back where they came from. Worked great especially for all the hoses and vacume lines.

Thanks, I got a Hayes manual & it shows usinga carboard box to put pushrods in respective holes. I liked the post following yours of using styrofoam and colored stickers.

Thanks all for suggestions.....................Bill

[billg226]

Originally Posted by Carwhiz

I've head many customers comming to me and telling the same thing. ALL of them have been satisfied by running a can of seafoam in the crankcase. PROBLEM SOLVED. by using low/poor quality oil, and stp additives, the oil jackets become slightly plugged, seafoam runs through and burns out any obstructing particles and keeps the oil flowing smoothly.

I only put STP in it the one time after it started ticking. Have always used Havoline oil in my vehicles and got over 100 k on 2 and 220 k on one of them. I to think it may be clogged oil ports. Is seafoam the brand name or does it have other name? Should I change oil then add it?
Run itwithseafoam forhow long?
Thank.....................Bill